Rainbow

Jenna painting on her easel she got for a Christmas present.  She kept asking me for all the paint colors. I didn't realize she had drawn little circles on the plate to make her own pallette.  Her finger is even through the bottom to hold onto it better.

My Dad

33 years ago today was the day my dad told my unsuspecting mom that, "he might be home a little late for dinner". He never came back.  My dad disappeared leaving his wife and his four kids. Just like that. He did not die.  He made the choice to leave.  I was 12 and in middle school when my dad just disappeared.  That day was also the day I lost my entire paternal side of my family, the ones I am told I resemble in looks and in character traits, never hearing from my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins until just very recently.  Without those family relationships and connections a large chunk of my heritage vanished that day as well.  My dad did reappear on and off over the years, but only ever on his terms.  Throughout the years my dad lived the way he wanted too without any regard for us.  It is ironic that last night I got a call from my cousin she shared with me she had been searching the internet and found my dad’s obituary.  Three weeks later after his death I learn from an internet search he died in Florida on December 16^th.  His obituary does not mention me, his three sons, or his ten grandchildren.  I am not surprised. Many years ago I had to accept that my dad and all of these huge parts of me were gone. 

Hair

So.. along with all my other weird autoimmune issues. I have been losing my hair since May. I have alopecia.  I have been given steroid injections in my scalp, and it has helped, but I don't think I will anymore as I am dealing with more than just patchy hair loss.  My hair is about 90% gone.  The picture above looks better than it really is... Most all recent photos you have seen of me have been with a hat.

 

Here is the wig I purchased today.

 

Here is Jenna in a wig.  Had to put that on here...just because

Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

                                          This morning Mary, Meredith, Quincy, Pinky and Trout were patiently waiting on the couch for present opening time.

Ava was happy with her perfume!

One of Jenna's presents was a new buddy for Meredith.. Her name is Sweet Sugar.

Amelia was very upset when Ava got a Kindle case and she didn't!  Her Kindle was coming!

Drew was happy with his photo blanket.

It is in the 60's here this Christmas and very, very wet!  We are on our way to Grandpa and Grandma's house!

 

Going to bed late anticipating Santa, waking up early to open presents, and a rainy car ride make for a great time to take a Christmas nap.

Girl cousins galore!

Christmas Eve

Charlie and the girls

 

Gingerbread House decorating.

 

Posing in front of our tree.

 

Amelia's house

 

Ava's House

 

Jenna's house 

 Dave's favorite new past time.. Amelia's birthday present - her drone.

 Uncle Jon and Grannie came for Christmas Eve

 

Grannie and Drew

 

Girls

 

Our tree tonight with Jenna's note and snacks for Santa and the girls Christmas Wish Lists.

Scale

 

Jenna came home from school (today Winter Break begins)  saying that her teacher would be teaching weights and scales after break.  Jenna had to work all by herself on building her own scale this evening.

                                                      And here is Jenna's scale. 

Rock Creek Santa

Santa visited Drew's school on Friday!

 And it snowed!!